RismadarVoice Reporters, May 7, 2026
The All Progressives Congress has waived the screening requirement for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primaries, declaring him duly cleared in line with its constitution and internal procedures.
The decision was reached at the 188th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the waiver was granted pursuant to the powers vested in the NWC under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the party’s constitution.
According to the statement, the committee resolved to exempt President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from undergoing another screening process for participation in the forthcoming primary election.
“The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, at its 188th meeting held today, May 6, 2026, resolved to waive, and has waived, screening requirements for His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and deemed him duly screened in accordance with the Constitution of the party for participation in the upcoming primary elections,” the statement read.
The party explained that the decision was taken in recognition of Tinubu’s status as the incumbent President and leader of the APC, noting that he had already undergone screening and clearance ahead of the party’s 2022 presidential primaries.
The NWC further stated that requiring the President to physically appear before a screening committee again would be “redundant and unnecessary.”
The APC also cited what it described as overwhelming endorsements and votes of confidence received by the President from key stakeholders within the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum, members of the National Assembly, and other party organs during the APC National Summit held on May 22, 2025.
The ruling party had commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise closing at midnight on May 6. Screening of aspirants is scheduled to begin on May 8.
Meanwhile, the founder of the Tinubu Support Groups and member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, James Faleke, purchased the N100 million expression of interest and nomination forms for the President on April 28.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC also announced that party primaries and resolution of disputes arising from the exercise would take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly polls will begin on September 9, 2026.
